Giant Bomb News

Norwegian Retailer Indefinitely Bans 'Violent Video Games,' Even Though No One Asked

Coop Norway takes 51 games off shelves, including Modern Warfare and World of Warcraft.

Ever since it came to light that Anders Behring Breivik, the psychotic killer who murdered more than 70 innocent people in Norway last week, happened to have a penchant for video games--chief among them World of Warcraft and Modern Warfare 2, which he ludicrously claimed helped "train" him for the attack--the games press has been on perpetual night watch for the first sign of some kind of knee-jerk legislative attack on video games. Let's face it: we've been conditioned to react with defensive aplomb every time someone thinks video games are to blame for anything. I suppose we can all thank the Jack Thompsons, Keith Vazs, and Fox News' of the world for our constant, Pavlovian "Come at me, bro!" reactions to these sorts of things.

Violence! Sort of! I guess...

Thankfully, despite a bit of blowhard lobbying from reactionary political groups, no governments have made any significant moves to try and curtail violent game sales to those who are of the proper age to purchase them. However, that hasn't stopped one retailer in Norway from pulling 51 'violent' titles from their store shelves, including all Call of Duty titles still in circulation, Homefront, Counter-Strike Source, and World of Warcraft.

Coop Norway's decision to remove the games was purely at the behest of the company itself, and done in "consideration for those affected" by the attacks, according to an interview with a company spokesman in the Norwegian newspaper Rogalands Avis (as reported by VG24/7).

"The decision to remove the games was made around the time we realised the scope of the attack," he said. "Others are better suited than us to point to the negative effects of games like these. At the moment it's [appropriate] for us to take them down. I wouldn't be surprised if others do the same."

While this company's decision to do what it feels is respectful to the victims and their families is entirely within their rights, the fact that a title as generally benign as World of Warcraft is being pulled off shelves solely because of Brevik's apparent fondness for it strikes as a slightly reactionary measure. World of Warcraft currently commands a T-rating on North America's ESRB scale, as well as a 12 rating on Europe's PEGI ratings board.

Still, Coop Norway seems resolute in their desire to keep these games off shelves for the foreseeable future.

"We have to think very carefully about when to bring these goods back. The economy involved is of no importance."

As a Norwegian, what offends me here is how people try to trivialize something like this by using it to further their own motives. Anyone who tries to say that games, comics, rock music or whatever else was what turned him into an insane rightwing extremist racist mass murderer are despicable.

@Chabbs0 Exactly. I don't think anyone should see this move by one (or two?) retailer(s) as a threat to the free dissemination of games depicting shooting in this country (Norway). I think it follows from the retailer's own statement that the games will hit shelves again, just not for a while. I think this is more a matter of what is considered good taste in the current climate here, and when viewed in that perspective, I don't see any big reason to criticize Coop Norway.

Its always lovely to see how easy it is to find a scapegoat. Fucking lawyers and the justice system in general. They are allowed to build a completely worthless and fictional (Id said an out right lie) defense over an object or source that is incapable of rebuke.

Its really awful that this stereotype has carried on. Its so worthless and only confuses an already horrible situation, and keeps people in a state of denial ignoring or not even being able to see or deal with the underlying issues, or even blame depending on the situation.

@gale: The science says that games don't increase aggression though. That is why in the supreme court case one of the main reasons video games won was because the studies presented by the anti-video side did not have actual conclusive evidence that games have any real negative effects of the behavior of young people.

Hey wait a minute? Could it possibly maybe be? Could what the so called scientists put forth as "Science" actually completely in fact be pseudo science? Is there a possibility that the scientists are making mistakes? I mean was it not science that invented the lobotomy? Could scientists potentially be human beings and not gods incarnate that reap the complete truth from the experiments that are done in a vacuum that having nothing to do with actual human experience? Maybe possibly yes maybe yes...? Maybe?

It would also be cool to find out at what day and time Pseudo Science become the official religion of the world?

@Cherubim: Platekompaniet isn't a major distributor either though, it is really bad, but it won't impact a lot of Norwegian people. If it was Spaceworld or Gamestop I'm sure it would get much more coverage.

Not to be rude to Norway or Norwegians in any way at this point of time in light of recent events, but I consider such a move hypocritical, and reflecting ideology rather than preservation of freedom. As much as I respect how Norway's leader referred to love as his reaction and the continuance of openess of society, it galls me how cushy this asshole will have it for 21 years. He should be the sole one deprived of any computer access, as well as violent games. None other. The only things that guy should have had in a civil society is the necessities and access to media such as books, again sans anything political or inflammatory. And no conjugal visits, he doesn't get those, either. I can understand Norway going for a high standard, and all the power to it. But don't use it as an excuse for an agenda that restricts. Remember both social and personal ideals of freedom and acceptance.

@Management: Platekompaniet sold their last game to me at least, that is for sure. They used to sell launch titles a bit cheaper than EBgames and Gamestop, but I rather pay extra than support this nonsense.

@Knight244: I'm trying to figure out what your angle is, but nothing you've said so far make any sense whatsoever. Science is evil and no-one that kills anyone can possibly identify themselves as christian?

@Knight244: I'm trying to figure out what your angle is, but nothing you've said so far make any sense whatsoever. Science is evil and no-one that kills anyone can possibly identify themselves as christian?

No, pseudo science touted as true science is an evil. Murderers can identify themselves as anything they want to but that doesn't make them so. Murderers lie as well as murder.

@Knight244: And I guess it's for you to decide what is psudoscience? Which would include anything you don't like? Is Evolution on that list as well? Also, you can't say that someone isn't christian just because they don't agree with you. If that was the case then the same would be true for Catholics, Protestants, Anglicans and so on as well. It's like saying someone isn't an American because he was born in Texas and you don't like those Texans.

To Shimakaze, I differ and I differ bigtime. Not on that technical point (that part's probably true) but it does smack suspiciously like a political agenda of sorts . And you can take this as rude if you wish, the decision frankly lacks courage or the idea of preservation of freedoms after such a tragedy

@bybeach: I assure you this has nothing to do with the government, and I think most free market follower will agree that any company should be free to carry the products they wish. And whatever lack of courage that decision shows has no relevance to our government or the Norwegian public in general.

@Dany: How is that a leap? Do you know the origin of Piracy Dany? It came from countries that wanted to play games that were unreleased in their territory. That's also why South America and Russia have the highest piracy rates.

If some joe is going to the store and can't buy games, they would just go to another store down the street.

@Knight244: And I guess it's for you to decide what is psudoscience? Which would include anything you don't like? Is Evolution on that list as well? Also, you can't say that someone isn't christian just because they don't agree with you. If that was the case then the same would be true for Catholics, Protestants, Anglicans and so on as well. It's like saying someone isn't an American because he was born in Texas and you don't like those Texans.

Evolution is a sham and you don't have to profess any religion to see that. Reason screams it to anyone still in possession of it. I can certainly say that someone isn't a Christian because they don't agree with me. That's the duty of a Roman Catholic. Norway lunatic isn't a true Christian.

Place of birth is not a choice. The Religion you profess is a choice you make.

I love video games like everyone else here but the relative innocence they had at their inception is sorely missed by me. Corporate bullshit strikes again.

@Shimakaze: So what would you have me do? Should I say that the Norway lunatic is a Christian and put myself in his camp? If I have to believe everything that everyone says then I better get right out and buy a slap chop because the guy who sells them says they're pretty useful. Do I not have the right to defend the religion I profess when someone on the forum claims it to be the religion of mass murderers as the insane Roman emperor Nero once did?

Apparently hit my forum limit for the day. Sorry, just upsets me when people subtly blame the Christian religion for the most outrageous things. Peace out.

@Knight244: Not unless you're an insane murderous lunatic with visions of world domination.

edit to reply to the edit: You don't have to believe anything but you should be careful with claiming that someone is lying just because you disagree with them. And, why do you have to defend yourself anyway? So what if he was a christian? No-one is suggesting that's the reason he did this. However if you want to get into the definition of what a proper Christian is then you'll have a flame war on your hands because every grouping has different ideas of what a proper christian is.

@gale: The science says that games don't increase aggression though. That is why in the supreme court case one of the main reasons video games won was because the studies presented by the anti-video side did not have actual conclusive evidence that games have any real negative effects of the behavior of young people.

Hey wait a minute? Could it possibly maybe be? Could what the so called scientists put forth as "Science" actually completely in fact be pseudo science? Is there a possibility that the scientists are making mistakes? I mean was it not science that invented the lobotomy? Could scientists potentially be human beings and not gods incarnate that reap the complete truth from the experiments that are done in a vacuum that having nothing to do with actual human experience? Maybe possibly yes maybe yes...? Maybe? It would also be cool to find out at what day and time Pseudo Science become the official religion of the world?

Well that could be, but if you wanted to argue it convincingly you'd have to do it scientifically. Or if you merely wished to make the evening news you could just argue using statistics.

Just wanna say, no Norwegian gamer will be affected by this. Nobody buys games from a COOP store. Seriously, nobody. And only their largest stores even have games available. Most of them dont. I know the Americans aren't aware of this which is why it's been getting coverage. But this will not affect Norwegian gamers one bit. Not at all.

Its a sad state of affairs. But to be expected. I'm sure the blaming of videogames will become more and more common the more mainstream videogaming becomes. It seems that a large percentage of people I (and perhaps you) know that play games. So it only makes sense that when the next tragedy happens, chances are high that the people who commit these acts have been, or are gamers.

Shit, it's easier to find a scapegoat then it is to find the actual root of the problem isnt it?

I'm norwegian, and I can say that this does not resonate well with our people. It's this kind of panic indused behaviour that son of a bitch wanted to invoke, and Coop pulls their games, they let him win. Generally we've stood strong through this awful time, but as we get som perspective, I'm curios to see what happens.

That being said, Coop's primary business is groceries, so it's not like their a major seller of those kinds of games. More noteworthy is the fact that Platekompaniet, which is a major games retailer, have started to remove some violent video games.

And last but not least, I hope you fine folks over at GiantBomb can do a grieving norwegian a favor. If in the future you're going to write an article where his name comes up, don't mention him by name. Call him a motherfucker, cocksucker, asshole, anything but his name. It's important that although we never will, and never should, forget this awful event, this evil man's name should not go down in history. That will only make him an idol among his crazy, right-wing sympathisers, and that is one thing that we will never let happen!

Shmiakaze said; And whatever lack of courage that decision shows has no relevance to our government or the Norwegian public in general. My (Bybeach's) response; and I was not saying as much either. But now that that door is opened, I do hope the resultant policies of the present Norwegian gov't will be wise, and preserve both social and personal freedom. There seems to be a balance missed both in my own country and in some European societies. I'm most worried for my own, to tell the truth, for restriction of personal freedom comes easily from the Right as the left, I'm not fooled at all. And for all the noise about socialism, that (recently determined) so-called evil is really not much evident here. But again, there must be balance and true fairness, and not neo-com or unrealistic social ideologies as a replacement for reality.

@Knight244: Video games do not cause violence. The mans mental health issues, and issues he had dealing with society where the cause, To say otherwise is to deflect the issue, not deal with the problem, and promote and already moronic stereotype. A few outlying cases of shooting rampages and the person having played video games (really? OMG? A person has a connection to a popular hobby? What are the odds?) have no real connection. Its a poor lie started by lawyers left with no defense for their client

This isn't that bad. From my limited knowledge, this is the first type of "video games kill people!" incident they've encountered. America has had to deal with numerous of these, and have basically turned it into a non-issue. They have a few of these before it's time to start questioning them.

@Knight244: He may not have been a real Christian, but was he a True Scotsman?

If someone insists that you are allied with and responsible for the actions of one psychopath because of a few shared beliefs, they're idiots who are just looking for someone to blame. However, you don't get to define what another person's religion is. You get to define what your beliefs are, and that's it. You don't have to agree with anyone else - you don't even have to respect anyone else - but you don't get to decide what someone gets to call themselves. Nor do you get to make whatever blind assertions you want about other people's reasons, feelings, and beliefs, when your only evidence is your complete inability to understand the concept of other people not having exactly the same thought processes that you do.

Also, it's a huge leap to assume that Swervinmonkeyz was making some sweeping indictment of everything to do with Christianity. That his extremist political and religious ideology would have a far greater influence on his politically and religiously motivated attack than some fucking videogame is a perfectly salient point to make, a fact that's apparently sailed right over your head, if your bizarre No Russian non-sequitur is anything to go by.

I don't especially care to take lessons in scientific methodology from someone who doesn't even understand what other people are. Have a go at forming a coherent argument before you try schooling people on what real science is. You'll look like less of an idiot that way.

Well. Then again. It's not magic. I'm not sure there's anything in the world that could make you look like less of an idiot at this point. But oh well. Couldn't hurt to try, I suppose.

See, if you take away the violent images from video games, the only violent images the psychopaths have are the fantasies they design in their own head. So... well, it'll probably work. DON'T QUESTION IT!

Yeah, I think it's not quite clear - but Coop is a minor retailer when it comes to games - it's primarily a grocery store, where non-gamers and families shop. They did it because the potential for upsetting customers is greater than the income obtained from selling games.

I don't think most Norwegians really blame video games for the acts of terrorism committed by Breivik, and it takes a huge lapse in judgement and common sense to consider Call of Duty or World of Warcraft to be "training" for anything beyond a video game tournament.